Veterinary Medicine courses

The RCVS sets and monitors the standards of veterinary degrees for those wishing to register and therefore practice as a vet in the UK.
The following courses are RCVS-approved degrees:

The first veterinary degrees will follow roughly the same curriculum but the way in which they are taught may differ from institution to institution. One institution may focus more on lectures and practical examinations, where as another may find that individual tuition and computer based learning have their part to play too.

The application process

You will need to apply for first veterinary medicine degrees through UCAS. The deadline is 15th October 2011 for entry in 2012 or deferred entry in September 2013. If your application is received after this date you will be considered as a late applicant. You do need to bear in mind that veterinary medicine courses places fill up very quickly!
You can only apply for four veterinary science courses per UCAS application.

Entry requirements

For entry onto a veterinary medicine degree you will be expected to achieve high grades at A-level or equivalent. Generally speaking you will need four or five high GCSEs passes and a minimum of ABB at A-level including biology and/or chemistry. It is important to check with the institutions where you are applying that you meet, or are expected to meet the minimum entry requirements.

Admissions tests

As well as the academic entry requirements, you may also be required to take an admissions test. This depends on the course that you apply for.

BMAT - The BioMedical Aptitude Test

The BMAT is used to help universities make fairer choices on who they offer a place to. If you intend to apply to the following institutions/courses you will be required to sit the BMAT test.

You need to register with the assessment centre and not BMAT directly, but go to www.bmat.org.uk and you can find your nearest assessment centre.

Funding and bursaries

Unlike medicine and dentistry courses, there are no specific bursaries allocated to those studying veterinary science. Some universities may have their own awards or bursaries for the subject so it is definitely worth checking with them.

You may be eligible for a maintenance grant from your LA. Check with DfCSF and www.direct.gov.uk to see which grants are available.
You may also be eligible for a student loan or a Career Development Loan.